Associated drugs:

Dry skin and chapped lips are a problem for many people taking HIV drugs, particularly indinavir.

Where dry skin is a problem with indinavir (particularly if you are using it in combination with ritonavir), then ask your doctor for a blood test to measure the levels of indinavir.

The recommendations listed for rashes (see skin rash) are helpful where dry skin is a problem, along with the use of emollients (moisturisers) such as aqueous cream, diprobase, oilatum, and balneum. Try to drink plenty of fluids as well.

Vitamins and a healthy diet are also important for better skin health.

Where rashes and dry skin are unmanageable with medications or simple interventions then ask your doctor to change the medication that is responsible if you are able to do so. You can also ask to be referred to a dermatologist.

Chapped lips have been linked to indinavir in a similar way to dry skin. Regularly using a lip balm and checking indinavir blood levels are both recommended.

Usually this is reported as being mild and reverses when indinavir is switched to another drug. Balding patches of head hair, called alopecia, have also been reported, though rarely, with 3TC.

Nail problems

Inflammation around the fingernails (Paronychia) and ingrown toenails have been reported with indinavir and 3TC.

Many of the people using indinavir are likely to have also used 3TC - so the cause and contribution of each drug is uncertain.

It took a long time and a lot of painful feet before the link between these drugs and nail problems were established. If you are using indinavir and have these problems ask for a referral to a chiropodist – if they continue, consider switching to another drug.